ACT English: Knowledge of Language

What Are the Basics of Knowledge of Language?

Knowledge of Language questions on the ACT English section make up about 15-17% of the exam. These questions assess your ability to use language effectively through concise word choice and the correct application of style and tone. Knowledge of Language questions often ask you to improve the effectiveness of a piece of writing by substituting or deleting a few words or an entire sentence. Like other categories in the English section, these questions refer to specific passages. Your task is to enhance the clarity, tone, and style of the writing while ensuring that the message is communicated effectively.

Concepts to Know

Style and Tone

In writing, tone refers to the author’s attitude toward their audience or the subject of their writing. The tone of a piece can significantly influence its style, which is the specific use of syntax, word choice, and other rhetorical devices. For the ACT, questions about style or tone often include words like “attitude,” “tone,” “style,” or “feeling.” When answering these questions, your first step is to determine the tone of the passage.

To identify the tone, examine the specific words used and consider their connotations—whether they are positive, negative, or neutral. Pay attention to the punctuation as well, as it can provide clues about the tone. For example, exclamation marks might indicate excitement or emphasis, while periods suggest a more neutral or declarative tone.

The genre of the passage can also help determine its tone. For instance, science articles often maintain a neutral tone, focusing on facts and information, whereas humanities and social sciences articles might vary in tone depending on whether they are supporting or opposing a particular argument. Prose fiction can have a wide range of tones, so it is crucial to use your strategies to analyze the text carefully.

Once you have identified the tone, review the answer choices and select the one that best fits the established tone. Even if tone or style is not explicitly mentioned in the question, every answer choice in the ACT English section should be consistent with the passage’s established tone and style.

Word Choice

Word choice is a critical component of effective writing, as it ensures that the language used is appropriate for the audience and purpose of the passage. On the ACT, one of the most important skills for selecting the correct words is understanding their connotations—whether they carry positive, negative, or neutral implications.

Additionally, watch out for words that seem like synonyms but have different nuances or connotations. For example, “enthusiastic” and “zealous” may both indicate a high level of interest, but “zealous” can carry a more intense or sometimes negative connotation depending on the context.

When approaching word choice questions, first read through the sentence and think about what word you would use to fill the blank. Then, review the answer choices and select the word that most closely matches your initial thought, while also fitting the context of the sentence. Context is key in these questions, as the surrounding words and sentences can significantly influence the best choice.

Redundancy and Clarity

One of the most common principles in effective writing is the elimination of redundancy. On the ACT, the best answer choice often conveys the necessary information in the most concise way possible without losing meaning. While it might seem that using more words makes writing more sophisticated, brevity is often more powerful.

To spot redundancy, review the text for repeated words or ideas, unnecessary information, and duplicated sentences. If an answer choice includes redundant phrases or repeats what has already been stated, it should not be considered the best option.

Clarity is another crucial aspect to consider when selecting the best answer on the ACT. Always ensure that the main idea of the passage is addressed correctly and that the writing is organized logically. Your chosen answer should follow a clear path of reasoning and align with the author’s main points.

Tips and Tricks

• Simplicity and Effectiveness: The best answer is often the simplest and most effective way to communicate the author’s message while maintaining the appropriate style and tone.
• Consider “NO CHANGE”: Sometimes, the original sentence is the best option, so don’t automatically dismiss “NO CHANGE” as a potential answer.
• Context Matters: Look at the entire sentence and the surrounding passage, not just the phrase you are replacing. Context is essential for ensuring that the selected word or phrase fits seamlessly.
• Plug It In: Always insert your chosen answer back into the original sentence to ensure that it is grammatically correct and fits the passage’s tone and style.
• Use Process of Elimination: Narrow down the choices by eliminating those that are clearly incorrect, redundant, or out of tone with the passage.

Practice

Let’s put these concepts into practice with a sample passage and questions.

The Curious Octopus

During a visit to the local aquarium, I was instantly captivated by the 1. fascinating, unique octopus on display. I initially intended to spend the entire day observing the colorful coral reef exhibit, but my plans changed when I encountered the octopus exhibit. Its movements were both graceful and mesmerizing, and I found myself 2. pausing for a while to watch the octopus glide effortlessly through the water. After returning home, I decided to research more about these remarkable creatures 3. and deepen my understanding of them.

Question 1

A. NO CHANGE
B. fascinating, and unique
C. fascinating and unique
D. uniquely fascinating

Explanation: This question falls under the category of redundancy and word choice. The original phrase “fascinating, unique” is clear and effective. However, the conjunction “and” between two adjectives is preferable for maintaining flow and clarity. Therefore, the correct answer is C. “fascinating and unique,” which eliminates unnecessary punctuation and provides a concise and clear description.

Question 2

F. NO CHANGE
G. pausing momentarily to
H. pausing to
J. pausing for a while to

Explanation: This question addresses redundancy. The phrase “pausing for a while” is slightly redundant since “pausing” already implies a brief stop. The best choice is H. “pausing to,” which removes the redundancy and keeps the sentence clear and concise.

Question 3

A. NO CHANGE
B. and further explore their fascinating traits.
C. and learn more about these creatures.
D. DELETE the underlined portion (ending the sentence with a period).

Explanation: This question focuses on clarity and redundancy. The original phrase “and deepen my understanding of them” is somewhat redundant, as the sentence already implies learning more about the octopus. The most concise and clear answer is D, which deletes the underlined portion and ends the sentence with a period.

Wrapping Up Knowledge of Language

You have now completed the study guide for Knowledge of Language on the ACT English section. With a comprehensive understanding of style, tone, word choice, and the principles of clarity and redundancy, you are well-prepared to tackle these questions with confidence. Remember, effective communication is about conveying your message as clearly and concisely as possible while maintaining the appropriate tone and style. Practice these skills regularly, and you’ll be ready to succeed on the ACT. Best of luck!

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